Project Vote Smart - Information For Candidates

Since a city council race isn't a contest covered by Project Vote Smart, I better talk about this NOW.

Project Vote Smart - Information For Candidates Please note that Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or program in any partisan activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

This is a weird request -- can't mention the name of the organization in a speech.

412-public-campaign blast: (follow-up)

After I send out an email to more than 8,000 contacts, I often get some nice interactions from folks. Here are some insights from the recent email (other post).

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I don't get it. I would think a true Libertarian would be against ANY government-provided services for kids. Or is the party merely a flag of convenience for your campaign?
I'm a common-sense Libertarian. I'm not a RADICAL L.

But, there is some convenience to having a party as well. There is NO utility in having just ONE PARTY DOMINATION as is the case with Pittsburgh and the Dems.

The kids are important. So too is public education. Our kids are shooting each other on a weekly basis -- and it isn't the fault of the guns, but rather the kids have been ignored.

Even our closed indoor ice rink, the only one in the city, was run by a private operator until he fumbled his duties. The city had many offers to re-open it -- as a public facility with private operators. But the city didn't want to go into the trouble. We all loose.

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What are your positions on abortion rights and gay marriage?

I'm fine with gay marriage. I'm a Libertarian. To each his / her own. And, I'm a U.U. (unitarian universalist) and this faith community -- http://www.sunnyhill.org often holds weddings among same sex couples with ministers. That's more of the domain for a church and not government.

As to abortion rights.... That isn't my issue -- on a whole. I'm mostly in the middle of the road. I would work to NOT change the laws.

It is a states right issue however.

To be honest... I didn't like the bubble law as it was a take away of freedom and really was just a problem with enforcement of existing laws. Sure, give a no protest zone near the health clinics -- but it is hard to have that stretch around people like a bubble. But, you'd also hear me harp about responsibilities that go along with freedom too -- so I'd never be in anyone's face -- nor would I want to see that happen to others.

Rendell expects hockey arena deal - PittsburghLIVE.com

Rendell expects hockey arena deal - PittsburghLIVE.com 'I think we'll have an offer for the Penguins equivalent to what the Pirates and Steelers got,' Rendell told WTAE television Saturday.

Yes, but what did the taxpayers get? What about the Xplosion of the ABA? What about the kids in the neighborhoods who got their 32 outdoor swim pools taken away from them?

We went a year without any recreational sports for the kids in the South Side because the Market House was closed. All the staffers were fired. Yet, we had a facility. It was closed to us -- the owners -- the citizens and taxpayers.

Meanwhile, the Pens went a year and didn't play hockey -- yet they HAD a facility (the CIVIC ARENA) that they didn't own -- WE TAXPAYERS own it. Yet they wouldn't show up for work -- or there was a lockout, whatever.

We used to have 19 functional rec centers around the town -- and now, after a painful re-birth, there are much fewer with fewer programs.

How about if we draw a line in the sand -- or ice -- and say that the Penguins can get a new arena deal -- just like the Pirates and Steelers because we're going to force both the Pirates and Steelers to buy out the public interest and public money from the stadiums that they now use.

The PNC PARK and Heinz Field deals are now for sale. Make this a RENT to OWN deal.

So, Penguins -- you can build a new arena. You can build it. You can own it. Beg for the money any way you want.

The Penguins had an interest in the indoor ice rink on the South Side -- the only one in the city. And, the Penguins closed the door on us. That facility is shut down and the Penguins walked away from it.

My kids would like to go skating today. Can't.

The Penguins walked away from that facility, and the team can walk away from the Civic Arena too. Leave.

Or, fix it. The Penguins had a hand in South Pointe -- in suburban (non Allegheny County) Pittsburgh. Why wasn't that built in the city?

Perhaps the team can strike a deal with Moon Township and build a place out by the airport. Go for it.

Or, the Penguins should be a cornerstone to a deal in Hazelwood. Go talk to the nonprofit holding company that owns that land.

Girls' HS basketball coach suspended --- What a PAIN as team is in PLAYOFFS

Okay, a coach can't tell a kid to come to WESTINGHOUSE. And, if the coach does -- he/she can't coach for a year.

Show me the trascripts to this case.

This is so wrong.

Girls' coach suspended: "Girls' coach suspended

Sunday, March 12, 2006
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One of the most successful coaches in City League girls' basketball history has been suspended from coaching for a year because of allegedly recruiting a player.

Westinghouse's Phyllis Jones did not coach yesterday in the Bulldogs' 49-39 victory against Kittanning in a PIAA Class AAA first-round game at Allderdice.

The win moves Westinghouse into the second round Wednesday, but Jones cannot coach the Bulldogs the rest of this season and will not be allowed to coach again until March 8, 2007.

A seven-member City League (District 8) athletic committee suspended Jones Wednesday for allegedly recruiting a player. The allegation came to light at some point this season. Recruiting is illegal in Pennsylvania high school athletics.

Jones could not be reached for comment. She can appeal the ruling to the PIAA."

Here is the long and short of it. Kids are in gangs. Gangs work with kids. Gangs recruit. Organizations, companies, colleges and nonprofits and religions recruit too.

I want the kids in gangs that are a good influence -- like the girls basketball team at Westinghouse High School. Go Bulldogs. Of course, I don't want them in a street gang.

But, we make rules for excellent educators like Phyllis Jones that prevent her from being an excellent educator. I want her to be honest with the kids and do everything she can to have an excellent gang with excellent kids. And, to a teacher and a coach, that means talking, communication, and building relationships.

So now what? The team is in the playoffs and the coach that goes out of her way to interact with kids has a big part of her life and JOB taken away. That sucks for the kids, the team, the person. Once again, 'nobody wins' -- except the street gangs. They don't have rules.

Magnet school program slated for overhaul

Duhhh....

This is exactly what I was talking about for the past number of months. Bring back TINKER BELL. The honesty was gone when Mr. Roosevelt said, "we are going to do this once and be done with it." I said -- NO WAY. That 'right size' effort was not a one-time fix. The schools need continual changes in an on-going, sustained way.

Magnet school program slated for overhaul: "The Pittsburgh Public Schools' popular magnet programs will be getting an overhaul as part of the district's far-reaching efforts to improve academic performance."

Everything is going to need to be 'on the table.' And, the only way that this is going to work is that the people need to have the conversations there be open with tinkering expected and WELCOMED.

I know that everything needs to be on the table. Mr. Roosevelt knows it. But, he isn't saying it in a direct way. The right-size effort was a struggle and there are many more to come, countless more.

Told you so. Don't tell me that we'll do it once and be done with it.

Yes, there can be additional ARTS schools. I suggested at last months Pgh Public Schools Board Meeting that a second MIDDLE SCHOOL for the ARTS be put in Knoxville. Why only have one "RODGERS?" Duplicate it. Put one in the east and another in the south.

Reporter fights to air her story

Reporter fights to air her story Canon-McMillan High School officials are facing a constitutional tongue-lashing from a sophomore who's proclaiming violations of her First Amendment rights after her article about a dangerous choking game was blocked from publication in the C-M Times, the high-school newspaper.

Firetruck sale like no other

Firetruck sale like no other More than four dozen firetrucks from the estate of Sullivan D'Amico, founder of Pechin's Shopping Village in Fayette County, will be sold by sealed bids beginning this week. Bids will be opened March 22.

Mr. Lisenby had a firetruck in Peoria, Illinois. It was a big, old one. There was a driver in the back. Each year when I was coaching the PAWW team (Peoria Area Water Wizards) we'd "march" in the Santa Parade on that firetruck. It was a blast. The kids would do cheers and be all dressed in our team sweats. It was a lot of fun and we really impressed the audience. Our team was well known throughout the five county area.

Rumsfeld makes $5-million killing on bird flu drug.

File this under "what color is your parachute."

Independent Online Edition > Americas Donald Rumsfeld makes $5m killing on bird flu drug

Click the photo to see a larger image of the peeps in the basket.

Yep, they were alive. They were being sold on the street outside of a school by this vendor.

My 200 word statement as a candidate that ran in local paper

My campaign song, "Lay The Shovel Down," stands for STOPPING wrong-headed, big-ticket spending. Tax breaks make the rich richer and poor poorer. I'll vote NO on TIFs, stadiums and under-river tunnels. I'm prudent, hate debt and want families to thrive here again. Get my free CD with software and music.

My focus on freedom, liberty and justice for all favors everyone, not cronies.

I coach swimming. Kids are my priority. I want to chair the YOUTH POLICY and Citiparks committee. My expert background from Market House to publisher of 100+ fitness books will insure functional rinks, pools, gyms. Our kids deserve something to shoot at and for, rather than each other with guns.

All benefit with: Bike lanes on streets; Trust in democracy; Youth Technology Summits; Day-cares and Preschools; Subsidized housing for poor (not rich). In-fill-parking treatments in established neighborhoods make more sense than subsidized garages on Second Ave.

I'll cut the deed-transfer-tax and encourage home-ownership by unloading URA properties.

Expect kayaks in Panther Hollow, a marathon, and community fitness. My tech interactions push fairness, transparency, engagement and open-source solutions. Give your input at 390-page Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki.

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Mark Rauterkus, 46, Libertarian.

Married to Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., since 1990.

Two sons, ages 11 and 8.

South Side

Graduate of Penn Hills High School, 1977; BSJ, 82, Ohio University, graduate teaching assistant at Baylor University, 1982-83 sans degree.

Labor council candidates interviewed

Labor council candidates interviewed Allegheny County Labor Council is scheduling interviews on March 24 and 25 for political candidates seeking endorsement in the May 16 primary election.

Candidates can call 412-281-7450.

I won't be going there as I'm not going to be in the May 16 primary, thankfully.

Biggest Maverick Candidates

Mr. Rauterkus and Mr. Krane could be characterized as two of the biggest maverick candidates.

Mr. Rauterkus believes the best way to make the city attractive again is by getting neighborhood youths more involved in activities. He claims the problem with juvenile delinquency makes this part of the city unattractive and unsavory for any one planning to raise a family to want to move to this area.

Mr. Rauterkus is a father who has been actively involved in his children's activities, particularly as a club swim team coach based at the Oliver Bath House on the South Side.

Someone in the audience questioned Mr. Rauterkus about this idea, noting that there are too many un-supervised children who do not get involved in activities anyway because of the bad home environment they live in.

Mr. Rauterkus, a graduate of Ohio University's journalism school, says he comes from a multi-generational family of teachers who have invested in the city. He wants other families with young children to join him in helping to make the city vibrant.

He said he and his wife Catherine Palmer, a professor at Pitt, have stood 'against the wave of young adults leaving the region�.'

Pittsblog: The Pop in Pop City

These are my words posted in a comment area of another blog. They call out Harold D. Miller, in a way. He's been silent on this so far. Perhaps he didn't notice or is on spring break in Lauderdale this week.

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Pittsblog: The Pop in Pop City: "All the king's horses and all the king's men will not be able to fix Pittsburgh again. Can't happen. Won't happen.

However, once the people engage (again) and the king's people and assets are told to become deliberate interactive elements -- and that is the RADICAL shift from how it works here now (and in the recent past) then we'll be able to flourish.

The fluff of the site (in my eyes) is because the interactivity is absent.

The POP thingie will be a sink. It will burning resources, money and careers even. But, the king's court has plenty of deep pockets. Trouble is -- the king is broke and the people are too. The city is going over the brink.

If Harold D. Miller wanted to be part of a real debate -- bring it on.

And, this even goes to the core as to why the other Mark, Mark Cuban, wouldn't be able to cope here again -- as in your other posting.

Think again!

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The theme of engagement is real. And, it is critical. It is colaboration -- not cooperation. It is about competition -- not concensus. I don't want to be 'at the table' with everyone in 'snooze mode.' Our city is about to crumble, and we need to light a fire under the seats of the people at the table and get them into life's serious work already.

philly: Why Did Joe Hoeffel Back Out?

philly: Why Did Joe Hoeffel Back Out? He went on and on about how he was going to do his best to keep The Hoagiemeister in the Governor's mansion and that he hoped his supporters would continue to support The Hoagiemeister's run for Governor. It's a lot to chew on."

I've not heard of that nickname, "Hoagiemeister."

Today, after swim practice, we all went to Pramanti Brothers. Felt good. The boys did a great job at swimming this week. We attended five swim practices in a row. That hasn't happened in many months with so many conflicts with candidate nights and such. The swimmers hit a groove once they get themselves into the groove.

As a bonus, WPIAL 100 Breast Champ, J.N. of Central at our practice tonight. We got out the video recorder and got him doing some pace work. He's going to states, along with some of the others associated with the program. Next week I'll have time to get into some video work with the kids and the web as well.

In 2006, Joe won the 100 Breast. And in 2005 and 2004, the champ was a Carlynton swimmer who is now at Notre Dame. So, three years in a row -- the BREAST title goes through Carlynton.

We are gearing up for swim lessons to start in a few weeks. I'll have to get out an email blast about when and how to sign up.

Police Chief Talks Teen Gun Violence

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Police Chief Talks Teen Gun Violence A string of shootings involving local school-aged kids has left police and politicians searching for answers.

Two years mandatory time with a gun. Four years if the gun is fired, mandatory.

Next we need to hold parents accountable for the acts of the kids, so says Chief of Police, Costa.

Parenting is important, very important. But, it isn't going to help to threaten the parent and the kids. I've been engaged in parental advocate work, with some programs from the National Fatherhood groups. In this example (listen to the clip), Costa is barking the wrong tune up the wrong tree.

How can a coordinated attack on the problem occur -- with the community centers too -- when the centers have been closed or are dysfunctional?

Official Proposes School Zone Firearm Safety Act

KDKA - Pittsburgh's Source for Breaking News, Weather and Sports: Official Proposes School Zone Firearm Safety Act: "Diven's proposal would call for a mandatory two-year-jail sentence for anyone over the age of 12 years old who fires a gun while committing a crime within 300-feet of a school.

Of course they are armed and dangerous. Brandon Murray and Thomas Beck....

The cost to keep a criminal in a PA prison is $85 per day. The cost for a year is about $35,000. These numbers come from my director of policy research, Dr. Wilburn Hayden.

Okay -- how much do we pay for a crossing guard per day?

How much do we pay a substitute teacher per day?

How many full-time athletic coaches are in town making $35,000 per year?

The prisons are at 110% capacity.

The Rec Centers are not filled to capacity. We used to have 19 Rec Centers in the city. The past mayor closed them all, but didn't touch but one Senior Center.

The Senior Centers, in my not so humble opinion, serve a great purpose too. Senior Centers offer a lot of preventative care as well to our community. But, come on -- this isn't a square deal.

The outcomes for the future are still unknown as to what Bob O'Connor is REALLY going to do with the summer swim pool and rec centers. Time will tell -- more jails, more police, more prisoners seem to be the way of the vast majority.

Strip District beautification projects to get federal funding

Strip District beautification projects to get federal funding: "In addition to improving underpasses, she said, the money could help pay for a tiny park along the Allegheny River."

Take that tiny park along the river and put it where the sun doesn't shine.

Lay the shovel down, already.

I'm a park's person. I'm a big-time park's person. But this sucking sound we hear isn't from the real parks and real people that use them. That tiny park downtown is a wrong investment. Rather, fund 20 swimming pools in neighborhoods. Hire conditioning coaches and face the childhood obesity problems in the eye. Rather, make bike lanes that allow for cyclist to use the busways. Rather, re-start the marathon.

Libertarian candidate making Senate run

Bless his heart. Sign his petition too.

Centre Daily Times | 03/10/2006 | Libertarian candidate making Senate run: "Libertarian candidate making Senate run
Tom Martin says ballot access is most important campaign issue

STATE COLLEGE -- Penn State computer engineer Thomas Martin has been nominated by the state Libertarian Party to run for the U.S. Senate, though he'll need more than 66,000 petition signatures of eligible voters to get his name on the November ballot.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican, and Democratic Senate candidates Bob Casey Jr., Chuck Pennacchio and Alan Sandals were required to obtain only 2,000 signatures each to get their names on the May 16 primary election ballot.

Huston Township resident Martin, 48, said his most important campaign issue is ballot access, trying to reduce the signature requirements for minor party candidates to a more reasonable level.

'If we cannot call the mismanagers to account at the ballot box, they're freer in Iraq than we are here,' Martin said Thursday.

The 66,000-signature requirement is a statutory requirement enforced by the Department of State. The state arrives at the number by taking 2 percent of the largest vote cast for the last statewide vote -- the 3.3 million votes Casey got in the 2004 race for state treasurer.

The Libertarian Party's political philosophy calls for small government and respect for individuals' rights. The philosophy differs from other minor parties, but most minor parties have gotten behind a lawsuit filed by the Constitution and Green parties asking the federal court to strike down the Pennsylvania statute as unconstitutional.

Martin acknowledged Thursday that it will be a daunting task to obtain enough signatures. He said he will endeavor to surpass the 2,000 signatures required of Republicans and Democrats."

Recruit 2,000 extra police for ...

You're hired.

SI.com - Olympics - China to recruit 2,000 extra police for Olympics - Friday March 10, 2006 12:40PM: "recruit extra police"

URA keeps spending our money in the wrong way!

Here we go again... The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. That seems to be the practice with too many around here.

I'm with Senator Ferlo. Lay the shovel down!

URA buys 2 more Downtown properties in Fifth-Forbes corridor The city Urban Redevelopment Authority will spend $2 million to buy two more properties in the Fifth and Forbes corridor over the objections of state Sen. Jim Ferlo, a new board member who claims the agency overpaid for the parcels and should get out of the real estate business Downtown.

Enough is enough.

Mr. Ferlo cast the lone no vote against the purchases. See, I would NOT be alone. I would give the necessary help to Bob O'Connor. O'Connor picked Ferlo for the job on the URA board. Ferlo and O'Connor need more help -- like the kind that I can deliver.

The URA will pay $1.6 million to buy a vacant six-story building at 236 Fifth Ave. owned by The Maplewood Group Inc. and most recently occupied by a D & K discount store. The building last sold for $1 million in 1992 and is currently assessed at $720,000, according to Allegheny County's real estate Web site.

There again we find another good use of the web site and technology. We need to keep a keen eye upon these transactions and need to leverage the internet as best we can to make sure that things don't get hidden from view of the citizen/taxpayers.


The URA isn't buying buildings like this -- for everyday citizens to reside and live within.

Jon Delano -- PSF newsletter in the comments part

Jon gives a run down of those in the primary who are women candidates and challengers to state house and state senate.